Window raiser



Jan. 3, 1956 IN V EN TOR. E 4w CHO/ZO/Z United States Patent-O WINDOW RAISER Erwin C. Horton, Hamburg, N. Y., asslgnor to 'I'rico Products Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.

This invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly to an operator for opening and closing the windows ofautomobiles, the main object of the invention being to provide a practical mechanism by which the windows may be regulated and adjusted in a satisfactory and positive manner from a remote source of power.

It has heretofore been proposed to operate windows mechanically from individual power units each installed in the fabricated door structure. This not only placed abnormal weight upon the door mount but also involved an item of considerable expense in that it was necessary to duplicate or multiply the number of power units according to the number of windows to be power-equipped.

According to the present invention, the several windows of an automobile individually receive their power from a central source through a transmission which permits the location of the power unit conveniently in or upon a more substantial body portion of the vehicle, the transmission embodying a measure of fiexbility which will accommodate the hinging action of the door while enabling a positive window adjustment.

The invention further resides in an improved window system by which ample power is supplied economically for a practical operation of one or more of the windows.

The foregoing and other objects will manifest themselves as this description progresses, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan view of a motor vehicle equipped with the present window system;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view in side elevation of one of the vehicle windows and a portion of the associated power transmission;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view depicting the mode of carrying the transmission from the frame over to the door;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram for plural windows; and

Fig. 5 is a like view for a single window.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4 designate the four vertically slidable windows of a four-door automobile, each window being supported on the active flights 5 and 6 of an actuator in the form of an endless cable in turn taking about four properly placed pulleys 7. One of the lower pulleys has a worm gear 8 fixed thereon and this gear meshes with a worm 9 which is driven by a flexible shaft 10. By this arrangement a self-locking transmission is provided to lock the window against being pried open from without.

As shown in Fig. 3, the flexible shaft 10 passes from the door through vertically offset holes 11 and 12 in the walls of the door and its mounting frame, respectively, at the hinge side, the arrangement being such that the cross-over portion of the cable will be inclined and disposed closer to a position of coaxial alinement with the hinge axis. This maintains the rotating cable substantially straight and avoids unnecessary and abnormal twisting or sharp bends incidental to the door movement.

The power unit illustrated comprises an electric motor 13. Preferably, it is reversible and has its armature shaft 14 extending at its opposite ends for selective connection to the several window cables 10. The motor is given substantial support on the vehicle chassis and is common to each window adjusting mechanism. Clutch means 15 selectively connect the flexible shafts 10 to the motor shaft 14 and are under the control of manual switches 16, individual to each window. The clutches are of a suitable type, the ones illustrated comprising pinions 17 on theflexible shafts meshable with pinions 18 on the motor shaft. Solenoids 19 serveto effect proper intermeshing engagement of the drivingpinion 18 with the driven pinion 17 as the solenoid connected switches 16 are actuated. t

For retarding the terminal portions of the window movements a shunting resistance element 20 is interposed in the motor circuit by the opening of the respective one of the terminal switches 21, 21'. This switch is engaged by a trip device 22 on the window and when the switch is opened it serves to throw the resistance wholly into the circuit to slow down the motor for easing the window into its seat or opposite position of rest. In the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, the common motor 13 v is selectively energized by the source of electrical energy 23 when connected thereto through the closing of the control switch 16 for either the left or the right front windows of the motor vehicle. When the control switch is operated for closing either window the proper lug 22 will eventually trip the upper retarding switch 21; and when the control switch is operated to open either window the corresponding lug will open the lower retarding switch 21' To avoid injury to the system by holding the control switch closed after the window has reached its terminal position, safety means 23a are provided and may be in the form of clutches designed to slip in the presence of an abnormal load and may comprise cooperating friction disks, as shown. In addition, a thermal cut-out 24 may be inserted in the motor circuit.

The performance of the system is apparent from the foregoing. Any window may be opened or closed by closing its own switch accordingly to energize the motor and the corresponding clutch solenoid 19 to connect its flexible transmission to the source of power. Upon opening the switch the clutch will disengage the pinions 17 and 18.

The system is economical in that it utilizes a single source of power. It is practical because the power is positively applied to the window without fear of injuring the mechanism. The windows are always locked in their rest positions against unauthorized opening from without.

The foregoing detailed description has been given with no thought of limitation since the inventive principles are capable of assuming other physical embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motor vehicle, a plurality of windows, window supporting cables mounting the windows individually for opening and closing movement, a common source of rotary mechanical power on the body of the vehicle having oppositely extending power output shaft parts, a separate flexible transmission shaft extending from each window to the common power source, a separate selflocking worm gear device at each window drivingly connecting the corresponding flexible shaft to the supporting cable and serving to lock the window against being pried open, and means operable to connect the flexible transmission shafts selectively to the common source of power comprising a pair of normally disengaged clutches'at each of said output shaft parts, each clutch being operable to connect a corresponding one of said flexible shafts to the power source.

2.--In a'motor vehicle having a plurality-of'dooma window in each of said doors supported by cable means therein, pulley meansin each, door supporting the respective, cable means operative, an electric motor; on the main body portion ofthe vehicle'having oppositely extending shaft parts, a separate flexible shaft extending from said motor into each of said doors, each of said flexible shafts being connected to a driving worm meshing with a gear on the corresponding pulley means to provide an irreversible self-locking drive thereto, an overload responsive safety clutch interposed in 'each of-the motor shaft parts, a pair of normally disengaged control clutches connected, toeach of said shaft parts .to be driven; thereby through the corresponding-safetycluteh, each control clutch being connected to a corresponding one of said flexibleshafts to connect thesame tothe motor when engaged, and manual control means arranged to energize said motor and to engage said control clutches selectively at the will of the operator, said control means including over control limit switch means operable to reduce the speed of the motor automatically by and upon approach of an actuated window to a terminal position while permitting continued operation of the motor at the reduced speedunder manual control of said control means.

1 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fontquerni-Vila Aug. 3, Mosher July 4, Limanowski June 29, Hansen May 3, Lavigne July 19, Simpson Apr. 27, Floraday July 13, Wiseman Oct. 5, Rappl-et al. Nov, 30, Banks et al. Nov. 28, Lear Ian. 9, Parsons Aug. 12, Danforth May 10,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 15, Great Britain Mar. 3, Great Britain Apr. 14, France Feb. 21, 

